We're proud of our armed forces community and we know the importance of having healthy relationships and being part of our wider communities. Browse our events to find activities to get involved with and see places where you can get help and support if you need it.
Armed Forces Walkway
Our Armed Forces Walkway is a space to remember our armed forces personnel. It's been created with the support of Barnsley College.
The walkway is on Westgate in the college gardens. It's a great place for families and friends to sit and think of those who have served and are serving.
You can find out how to apply for a stone on the Armed Forces Walkway webpage.
Activities, events and groups
There's a range of activities and events for our armed forces community. You'll be able to meet like-minded people of all ages and enjoy some social time. You'll also be able to make new friends and get involved in your community. Browse our activities and events to find a local group or activity to join.
Regular activities
Barnsley armed forces and veteran breakfast clubs
There are two armed forces and veteran's breakfast clubs that regularly meet in Barnsley:
| Every Saturday | 9:30am | The Manx Arms, 32 Sheffield Rd, Barnsley S70 1HP |
| Alternative Fridays | 9:30am | The Snap Tin Care, 1 Barburgh Lane, Goldthorpe, S63 9PG |
| First Saturday of the month | 10am | Prince of Wales pub, High Street, Wombwell, S73 0DA |
| Date | Time | Where to meet |
Find out more about the armed forces and veteran's breakfast clubs at Live Well Barnsley.
Royal British Legion meetings
Come along and join the Royal British Legion meetings for social, fundraising, and welfare activities.
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Group
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Date
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Time
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Where to meet
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RBL Churchfield Branch
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Every third Sunday in the month
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12pm | Wilthorpe and Redbrook Community Centre, 184 Wilthorpe Road, Barnsley, S75 1JR |
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RBL Wombell and Darfield
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Every second Sunday of the month
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12pm | Wombwell Working Men's Club, S73 0AY |
Local groups
You can look at Live Well Barnsley and search for armed forces to find groups and services near you that are aimed at our armed forces community.
Barnsley FC Community Trust
Barnsley FC Community Trust run a programme for inactive adults over the age of 30. It aims to support men to make positive lifestyle changes and become more active. It also helps increase knowledge and skills about living a healthy life.
Read more about the Fit Reds Programme.
Let us know about an event
If you want to let us know about an armed forces event or activity that we can help promote for you, please complete our online form.
Bereavement support
- Cruse Bereavement Care can offer support online or by visiting a nearby Cruse branch. You can also call the Cruse helpline.
- The Independent Inquest Advice (IIA) service provide free legal advice to armed forces families. The service can help you with expert support at all stages of an investigation.
- The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) offer support groups for families. They give you the chance to speak to a network of different people. Find out more about SSAFA support groups.
- Scotty's Little Soldiers support children and young people who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
- War Widows Association supports war widows with loneliness, isolation and signposting to wider support. Call them on 0845 241 2189.
- Family Activity Breaks (FAB) provide fun and challenging activity holidays around the UK for UK bereaved military families.
- The Army Welfare Service offers bereavement support for army serving personnel and their families.
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Royal Navy Family and People support (RN FPS) offers practical and emotional advice and support for Royal Navy service personnel and their families.
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RAF personal support and social work service (through SSAFA) offers bereavement support for RAF serving personnel and their families.
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Veteran’s Welfare Service (part of Veterans UK) offer lifelong support to bereaved service families.
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Royal Navy and Royal Marines Widows Association offer bereavement support to those whose spouse/recognised partner/parent was serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines at the time of their death.
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Army Widows Association offer bereavement support to widows and widowers of servicemen and women.
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RAF Widows Association offer bereavement support for those whose partner/spouse served in the RAF and died whilst serving.
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Royal British Legion offer support for bereaved families. Visit their website or call 0808 802 8080 to access their support.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)
SSAFA is an armed forces charity. They provide life long support to those who are serving or have served in the forces. They also provide support to the families of those who have served or are serving.
They also offer a mentoring service to support those transitioning from military to civilian life. Find out more about transitional mentoring for service leavers.
You can call SSAFA South Yorkshire on 07483 214925 or 01226 289517. You can also email ross.waterlow@syorks.ssafa.org.uk. You can also contact the North East Regional hub contact Callum Crane on 020 4566 9117 or at callum.crane@ssafa.org.uk.
Find out more about SSAFA South Yorkshire.
Support for armed forces families
Working in the forces affects not only the person themselves, but also their family and children.
Families and children can be affected by:
- mobility - moving from one place to another
- interrupted learning - moving from one school to another and changing their learning style
- anxiety - due to the serving person being away from home for long periods of time
- isolation - family members can often feel isolated from parents and serving members
- taking on extra responsibility - this may happen when a parent leaves for active duty.
Here are some services that may be able to help:
Childcare support
The Army Families Federation offers advice about:
- how to register for day nurseries, nannies or childminders
- childcare options
- free early years education
- moving schools
Veteran’s Gateway
Veteran's Gateway offers advice and information related to families’ transition from military to civilian life, together with further advice and signposting for veterans and their families. Visit their website or call 0808 802 1212 for more details.
Little Troopers
Little Troopers offers support and advice for parents and families. This is to deal with specific and unique challenges of being an armed forces family.
Naval Families Federation
The Naval Families Federation offer information, advice, guidance, and support for Royal Navy and Royal Marine families. Call 02392 654374 or visit their website for more details.
Army Families Federation
The Army Families Federation offer advice, information, and signposting for Army families. Call 01264 554004 or visit their website for more details.
RAF Families Federation
The RAF Families Federation offer information, advice, guidance, and support for RAF families. Call 01780 781650 or visit their website for more details.
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund offer support for spouses, partners, dependent children and carers of RAF serving personnel and veterans. Call 0300 102 1919 or visit their website or more details.
Army Benevolent Fund
The Army Benevolent Fund offer support for serving army army families. Call 020 7901 8900 or visit their website for more details.
Royal Navy Benevolent Fund
The Royal Navy Benevolent Fund offer financial assistance and support for navy families.
SSAFA
SSAFA supports families of all armed forces personnel and veterans and can offer immediate or long term support. Call 0800 260 6767 or visit their website for more details.
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion supports families of armed forces personnel and veterans.
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK offers support for carers and loved ones of blind veterans. Call 0300 111 22 33 or visit their website for more details.
The Army Welfare Service
The Army Welfare Service offer personal and community welfare support for serving army personnel and their families.
RAF personal support and social work service
The RAF personal support and social work service offers a range of personal services and support for RAF serving personnel and their families. This service is provided by SSAFA.
The Royal Air Forces Association
The RAF Association offer welfare advice and support for currently serving members of the RAF, RAF veterans, and their families. Call 0800 018 2361 or visit their website for more details.
Royal Navy Family and People support
The Royal Navy Family and People Support offer services for Royal Navy serving personnel and their families, helping to navigate the unique challenges of Navy life.
Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes offers practical and wellbeing support for veterans and their families.
Royal Marines Charity
The Royal Marines Charity offer transition, welfare, financial, wellbeing, employment, and education advice. They support both serving and retired Marines, and their families. Call 023 9298 1920 or visit their website for more details.
Veterans Outreach Project
The Veterans Outreach Project gives a voice for veterans across the county. It does this with the support of our local councils and by using their outreach trailer.
The outreach trailer is used to:
- provide support to veterans and their families across the county
- promote drop-in sessions and meet-ups in the region
- support veterans to help them reach their goals
You can find out how you might be able to book the outreach trailer online.
Barnsley Family Hubs
Barnsley Family Hubs deliver services to help children, young people, and families. Visit Barnsley Virtual Family Hubs to find out more and explore what support and activities are on offer in your area.